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Do I have to declare a list before using it in a loop?

for example:

For[i = 1, i < 10, i++, A[[i]] = i];

The output is:

Symbol A in part assignment does not have an immediate value

What is the proper way to do this?

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    $\begingroup$ You need to initialize A first if you want your code to work as it is, e.g. like this: A = ConstantArray[Null, 9] or use. Better though to use Table or Array: Array[# &, 9]. $\endgroup$ – Yves Klett Dec 21 '15 at 18:04
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    $\begingroup$ @jarhead, that is a useful article $\endgroup$ – garej Dec 21 '15 at 19:42
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This is quite regular.

a = {};
For[i = 1, i < 10, i++, AppendTo[a, i]]

the result:

a

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}

Otherwise you could do

a = ConstantArray[Null, 10 - 1];
For[i = 1, i < 10, i++, a[[i]] = i]

or

a = ConstantArray[Null, 10 - 1];
Array[(a[[#]] = #) &, 9]

Or simply using function variables:

Clear[a]

Array[(a[#] = #) &, 9]

but this does not give list a, although the elements can be referenced, e.g.

a[4]

4

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Mathematica is not a declarative language. Don't expect to declare things.

Mathematica is clumsy as a procedural language, so avoid For[] loops.

Avoid using upper case to start your symbol names to prevent conflicts with the thousands of built-in symbols.

Use a functional programming approach:

a = Table[i, {i, 1, 10}]
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$\begingroup$ 
Table[i,{i, 10}]

OR

Range @ 10

OR

RandomInteger[100,10]

OR

RandomReal[1,10]

If you just want to generate a list you can use a set of functions such as: Table, Range, RandomInteger, RandomReal etc.

Also see associated tutorial for list generation: Link

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  • $\begingroup$ You missed the point, the calculation for A[[i]] is just an example....I have there a more complicated calculation $\endgroup$ – jarhead Dec 22 '15 at 12:06
  • $\begingroup$ @jarhead I do apologise. $\endgroup$ – e.doroskevic Dec 22 '15 at 12:11
  • $\begingroup$ but thanks for the info though $\endgroup$ – jarhead Dec 22 '15 at 12:15
  • $\begingroup$ @jarhead glad you found it useful! $\endgroup$ – e.doroskevic Dec 22 '15 at 12:19

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